RB Retail & Service Solutions is proud to announce the launch of a complete marketing services support program designed exclusively for its dealer network.

Recognizing that many dealers lack dedicated in-house marketing staff — and may be uncertain about where to begin with digital advertising — RB has developed a tailored program to bridge that gap and empower dealers with the tools and guidance they need to succeed.
Through RB Marketing Services, dealers will receive personalized support from the ground up.

The program begins with a strategic review of each dealer’s goals, target audience, budget, and branding to ensure a strong foundation. From there, RB Marketing Services delivers hands-on assistance across a full suite of digital marketing disciplines, including:

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Blog Content Creation
• Social Media Management
• Digital Advertising Campaigns

With this new program, RB Retail & Service Solutions reaffirms its commitment to helping pool dealers grow their businesses and thrive in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.

To learn more or schedule and online demo visit: https://rbretailandservicesolutions.com/schedule-a-demo/
Or take a self-guided virtual tour online: https://rbretailandservicesolutions.com/tour/
Or Call:
866-933-9099

Monroeville, PA
www.rbretailandservicesolutions.com

Gainesville, Florida — March 15, 2026 — In an industry built as much on shared knowledge as it is on technical skill, mentorship remains a vital force shaping our collective future. Recognizing that influence — and the fact that none of us just magically woke up one morning knowing how to clear a swamp, rebuild a pump, or explain cyanuric acid to a homeowner who thinks chlorine is a conspiracy — the Talking Pools Podcast has officially opened nominations for the Second Annual Talking Pools Podcast Mentor of the Year Award.

It’s our way of honoring the men and women in this trade who take the time to teach the next generation how to ‘Figure it out.’ The ones who answer the phone when a rookie’s staring at a green pool that looks like the Everglades and whisper the ancient industry wisdom: “Relax, kid. Let’s do this together. What are your water test results telling you?”

The award, created by Rudy Stankowitz, founder of Aquatic Facility Training & Consultants and host of the Talking Pools Podcast network, was established to recognize the individuals who quietly guide the next generation of pool professionals — often without recognition, publicity, or formal titles.

“The pool industry has always been built on apprenticeship,” said Stankowitz. “Most of us can point to someone who took the time not just to answer our questions, but to give us the tools to develop real industry acumen — someone who showed us what to look for when water chemistry didn’t make sense yet, or how to approach a problem the right way, or even how to start up our own pool service company.”

A Recognition Built Around Real Industry Impact

Unlike many traditional awards programs, the Talking Pools Mentor of the Year Award is designed to recognize mentorship as it actually happens in the field.

Nominees are not evaluated by votes or titles; we need those awards in the industry as well, but this one can only be done justice by gauging real-world influence in developing technicians, improving professionalism, and helping others grow within the industry, emphasizing genuine impact.

Eligible nominees may come from any area of the pool industry trades, including:

• Pool service professionals
• Builders and contractors
• Retail professionals
• Manufacturer representatives
• Trainers and educators
• Consultants and industry leaders

What unites the nominees is their commitment to helping others succeed.

Mentors often serve as the first line of professional development in an industry where much of the training happens informally — through ride-along training, troubleshooting calls, or simply being available when someone is facing a difficult situation in the field.

Building on the Success of the Inaugural Award

The inaugural 2025 Talking Pools Podcast Mentor of the Year Award recognized Rich Gallo of Pure Swim, whose dedication to mentoring pool professionals earned nominations from across the industry.

The award caught on fast inside the pool industry — probably because everybody in this business knows the same ugly truth: if we don’t start teaching the next generation how to do this job properly, we’re going to end up with a whole army of people dumping chlorine into pools like they’re seasoning a pot of spaghetti.

The Talking Pools crew decided to do something different.

They showed up at the winner’s workplace.

Just a surprise visit and the presentation of the Talking Pools Podcast Mentor of the Year Championship Belt — a big, unapologetic, over-the-top symbol that says, “This person right here actually took the time to help other people figure this crazy industry out.”

Because mentorship in the pool world happens on pool decks… in service trucks… and usually while somebody’s explaining how to troubleshoot why the water just turned the color of lime Gatorade.

The unconventional presentation reflects the spirit of the award — celebrating mentorship where it actually happens.

Nominations Open March 15

Nominations for the 2026 Talking Pools Podcast Mentor of the Year Award open March 15 and will remain open through May 15, 2026.

Industry professionals are invited to nominate a mentor who has played a significant role in helping them develop their skills, build their business, or navigate the challenges of the pool industry, especially those demonstrating practical mentorship, such as teaching, troubleshooting, or on-site training.

Nominees will be reviewed by the Talking Pools Podcast hosts, and a group of Top 10 finalists will be selected before the final winner is announced later in the year.

The recipient will receive the Talking Pools Podcast Mentor of the Year Championship Belt, along with recognition across the Talking Pools Podcast network and affiliated industry media, highlighting the award’s value and encouraging nominations.

A Growing Focus on Mentorship in the Pool Industry

Programs like the Talking Pools Mentor of the Year Award help highlight the importance of those efforts and encourage more professionals to take on mentoring roles within their organizations and communities.

“Mentorship is the bridge between experience and the future,” Stankowitz said. “If we want this industry to continue growing and improving, we have to recognize and support the people who are teaching the next generation.”

Pool professionals wishing to nominate a mentor may submit the nominee’s name along with a description of how that individual has influenced their career or the industry.

Self-nominations and nominations by immediate family members are not eligible.

Nominations can be submitted at:
https://cpoclass.com/pool-news/mentor-award/

Or, visit CPOclass.com and click on the ‘Talking Pools Podcast Mentor Award’ tab

About Talking Pools Podcast

The Talking Pools Podcast is a global podcast network serving swimming pool professionals with discussions on water chemistry, pool service operations, construction practices, safety, and business development. Featuring hosts from the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, the program reaches thousands of industry professionals each week and has become a leading voice for education and mentorship in the aquatic trades. Listen to the Talking Pools Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts now.

The U.S. Plunge Pool Manufacturer Grows its Marketing, Facilities and Sales Teams to Strengthen its Core and Further its National-Wide Success

Pembroke, N.H. — March 2, 2026 — Soake Pools, the premier plunge pool manufacturer based in New England, announces four new hires in the first quarter of 2026. The new appointments to the Marketing, Facilities and Sales teams will continue to advance Soake Pools’ mission to provide creative and custom plunge pool solutions nationwide.

“Bringing four new team members on board marks an exciting next chapter for Soake Pools and reflects the momentum we’ve built over more than a decade in business,” says Karen Larson, co-founder of Soake Pools. “These hires strengthen our ability to grow thoughtfully, expand into new territories, and amplify our social presence with fresh energy and storytelling that reflects who we are today. With demand rising and brand awareness at an all-time high, now is the right moment to invest in people who will help carry Soake into its next phase of growth.”

Each with their respective expertise, the new team members will help broaden industry awareness of Soake Pools’ expanding product capabilities, supporting homeowners, designers, builders, and developers in residential and commercial projects. Some additional information on each new hire is below:

Stephen Rivard, West Coast Territory Manager

Stephen’s passion for landscape design is a big part of his personal life, as well as his work at Soake. As the new West Coast Territory Manager, Stephen is entrusted with the pivotal role of expanding the territory and cultivating new partnerships to propel the company’s upward trajectory in California, Oregon, and Washington State. His love for travelling—having visited 34 of the 50 U.S. states—and penchant for curating picture-perfect layouts in his New England garden will aid in his duty to grow Soake Pools’ presence in the West.

Heather Kimball, New York City and Fairfield County, CT Territory Manager

Heather joins Soake Pools as the new Territory Manager for New York City and Fairfield County, Connecticut, and is responsible for growing Soake Pools’ presence in her local and nearby communities. New York’s deep roots in the architecture and design and real estate spaces provide Heather—who is located in Brooklyn—ample opportunities for establishing new relationships with prospective clients through meetings, networking events, and industry/trade shows. Heather is an avid indoor plant collector and currently has over 100 indoor plants that keep her busy, along with her husband and two pugs.

Chelsea Owen, Content Creator & Social Media Manager

Chelsea brings a background in graphic design and a love for photography to Soake. As Content Creator, Chelsea will manage Soake Pools’ social media accounts, online presence, and SEO efforts. Her main roles include strategically crafting engaging content across all channels and ensuring the brand’s website and digital materials are optimized for visibility and growth. Chelsea is responsible for telling the story of the brand through photography, videos, and customer testimonials; capturing the Soake Pools lifestyle and translating it across various digital formats. In her free time, Chelsea enjoys golfing, spending time with her husband, daughter, dog, and friends, and soaking up everything summer has to offer.

Brendan Russell, Warehouse Associate

Brendan joins the Soake Pools team as a Warehouse Associate, where he helps keep Soake Pools’ production facility operating efficiently and smoothly from a logistics standpoint. He is responsible for moving pools through Soake’s rigorous quality control process and packing crates with the proper pool equipment to maintain projected lead times. In his free time, Brendan loves to play basketball and billiards. He is also a field artillery veteran and was stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

For more information about Soake Pools, please visit soakepools.com.

About Soake Pools: Karen and Brian Larson, Co-Founders of Soake® Pools, created the company from the ground up in 2014, deeming them the first company to offer hand-tiled precast concrete plunge pools for the home in North America. Soake Pools are revolutionary, space-saving pools that combine the best of a pool and a hot tub, and provide year-round enjoyment. Each Soake Pools plunge pool is made in New England using state-of-the-art materials, customizable, and delivered pre-built and ready to install. Today, the Soake Pools team is constantly revolutionizing the industry, offering a steady stream of new dimensions, unparalleled luxury finishes, and a litany of safety, aesthetic, and user-friendly functionalities. Soake Pools are designed to be enjoyed year-round, equipped with the adjustability for a hot dip in the winter and a cold, refreshing plunge in the summer. The plunge pools can even provide athletic training with their resistance systems. Some additional benefits include accessibility in both size and pricing, sustainability in terms of the saltwater contents, lower water usage, and variable speed pumps. Soake Pools offer countless physical and mental wellness benefits year-round and undoubtedly increase home value.